[{"_1":2,"_95":-5,"_96":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,85],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6576927,"mediaKeyId","3379263-33314674a92bc91ef86e1d71720743b3","parentId",3379263,"title","Bluff staff updates council on grant activity, EPA appeal and state energy contract","audioSeconds",64,"startMs",1159450,"endMs",1224415,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3379263-33314674a92bc91ef86e1d71720743b3&start=1159&end=1224","thumbnailUrl","https://d352y6ypj4mjo3.cloudfront.net/AudioPlaceholder.png","articleUrl","/articles/6576927/Utah/Bluff-staff-updates-council-on-grant-activity-EPA-appeal-and-state-energy-contract","mediaUrl","author","Bluff Town Council","date","2025-05-01T13:00:00Z","article","Town staff updated the Bluff Town Council on several grant- and contract-related items, including a closed American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) final report, a terminated Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant for which the town filed an appeal, and recent applications and a pending state contract.

Staff reported that the ARPA-funded projects (building accessibility improvements, bathrooms and ADA door work and the food pantry) have been completed and the final report due April 30 was submitted; records are retained in the town files for audit purposes. Regarding the EPA award, staff said the town’s account shows no funds and that the town filed a formal appeal. The town received an acknowledgement from the EPA indicating a decision on the appeal will be issued within 180 days of receipt unless a longer period is necessary; staff characterized the response as casual in tone and said they requested expedited handling.

Staff also said they submitted an application to the Community Project Fund through Representative Mike Kennedy requesting $1,000,000; the application asked for items including community center rehabilitation and fire-suppression/HVAC priorities. In addition, staff noted an upcoming contract with the Utah Office of Energy Development for $166,650 related to energy or development work (contract language to be presented on a future agenda for approval). The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) was also mentioned as boilerplate language staff expects will not require additional legal review for signature.

Staff thanked grant-writing team members and noted the short turnaround times required by some funding opportunities. No formal vote on grant awards or contracts was taken at the meeting; staff indicated pending or planned agenda items where formal contract or grant-acceptance votes would be scheduled.","mediaType","Audio","parentTitle","Bluff Town Council Special Meeting - 231225_1324","oneSentenceSummary","Staff reported a closed ARPA final report, a terminated EPA grant with an appeal filed, a million-dollar Community Project Fund application submitted to a House member, and an upcoming contract with the Utah Office of Energy Development for $166,650.","taxTitle","Bluff, San Juan County, Utah","taxId",79934,"location","Utah","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":50,"_51":82,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":83,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":84,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576931,"Bluff Council approves payment of bills; staff notes pending receivables and transportation match request",120,1017620,1138090,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3379263-33314674a92bc91ef86e1d71720743b3&start=1017&end=1138","/articles/6576931/Utah/Bluff-Council-approves-payment-of-bills-staff-notes-pending-receivables-and-transportation-match-request","The Bluff Town Council unanimously approved a motion to pay the bills presented at the meeting, including payroll (already processed), routine utilities and credit-card balances.

Staff told the council that payroll for the week had already been paid and that routine utilities were paid. The town is awaiting a check from the senior center to clear accounts receivable. Staff also reported they submitted a request for matching funds to the San Juan County Transportation Board.

Council members asked clarifying questions about specific line items, including a $3,000 allocation labeled for a \"goat head roller.\" Staff indicated that amount exists in the budget and would likely be reduced in future schedules; the council discussed which town account would carry the charge. Council members also discussed making equipment available for community use and adding items to the town's master fee schedule so the public could rent specified equipment.

After discussion, a motion to pay the bills was made, seconded and approved unanimously by voice vote.

No amendments to the payments were recorded at the meeting. Staff will proceed to pay the presented bills and follow up on accounts receivable and the transportation matching-funds request.","Council voted unanimously to pay presented bills, while staff reported payroll was already paid, routine utilities covered, a pending check from the senior center, and a request submitted for matching funds to the San Juan County Transportation Board.",{"_33":86,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":87,"_41":88,"_43":89,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":50,"_51":92,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":93,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":94,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576936,"Bluff Council approves two summer internship offers amid budget debate",890,61809,952020,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3379263-33314674a92bc91ef86e1d71720743b3&start=61&end=952","/articles/6576936/Utah/Bluff-Council-approves-two-summer-internship-offers-amid-budget-debate","The Bluff Town Council voted to extend summer internship offers to Samuel (Sam) Bouchard and Josie Lott, approving eight-week positions of up to 30 hours per week for each intern.

Council members and staff discussed three candidates interviewed for communications and technical-project support roles: Josie Lott for community engagement and communications; Sam Bouchard for technical/project support; and Thomas Hayden for technical/project support. Staff reported the applicants performed well in interviews and that the town has projects that could provide substantive work for interns, including road mapping and website updates.

Council members expressed a preference for hiring all three finalists if the budget allows, but raised concerns about whether the current budget could absorb three hires without impacting other personnel costs. One council member recommended hiring the two local applicants and contracting Thomas Hayden on specific projects if needed. Staff estimates and proposals mentioned in the meeting included a part-time/short-term structure described in planning discussion (example frameworks given during discussion: Josie — 12 weeks at ~20 hours; Sam — 8 weeks at ~30 hours; Thomas — up to 12 weeks at ~30 hours) and an estimated wage rate of $16 per hour. A staff estimate mentioned a total labor cost figure of $15,440 plus employer benefit matches under one proposed schedule; council members emphasized that final budget authority would be confirmed when a tentative budget is presented on the council’s June 6 meeting.

After discussion the council moved and seconded a motion to extend offers to Samuel Bouchard and Josie Lott for two internship positions for summer 2025. The motion was seconded and approved; council minutes record the outcome as approved with a tally given in the meeting as \"it passes 4 0 1.\" Following the vote, staff confirmed formal 8-week offers up to 30 hours per week would be extended to Josie Lott and Samuel Bouchard.

Council members stressed practical implementation details discussed during the meeting: start-date flexibility (one applicant could not start until mid-June), the option to cap weekly hours to control costs, and the alternative of hiring contractors for discrete projects if budget constraints prevented hiring a third intern. Several council members said hiring local youth provides community benefits by exposing students to local government work.

The council did not commit to hiring the third candidate, Thomas Hayden, as a town employee; discussion left open contracting or revisiting the budget at the next tentative-budget meeting.

The council recorded no amendments to the motion. Staff said they would extend the specified offers and use the council’s stated caps (eight weeks, up to 30 hours) when issuing offer letters.","The Bluff Town Council voted to extend eight-week internship offers to two local applicants, while members debated adding a third hire and worried about near-term budget constraints.","actionData","errors"]

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Bluff staff updates council on grant activity, EPA appeal and state energy contract

Bluff Council approves payment of bills; staff notes pending receivables and transportation match request

Bluff Council approves two summer internship offers amid budget debate